FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN I ATTEND KANGATRAINING AFTER A CAESAREAN SECTION?

a) Kangatraining has a strict policy regarding participating in Kanga, post Caesar, which is implemented worldwide. We recommend waiting at least 12 weeks post Caesar; to ensure your body has had adequate time to heal and recover from such a major procedure. We pride ourselves on being safe, gentle and effective in postnatal exercise and therefore feel it is in your best interests to wait the 12 weeks before starting Kanga.

b) We appreciate your enthusiasm to get started at Kanga, however, we cannot alter our 12 week recommendation due to insurance purposes.

c) Though we appreciate your doctor/caregiver is satisfied with your recovery- we maintain that 12 weeks is the appropriate time to wait before starting Kanga. We want to ensure your return to exercise is as pleasant as possible, and prior to the 12 week mark, your body is still recovering and regaining strength from the surgery. We pride ourselves on being safe, gentle and effective in postnatal exercise and therefore feel it is in your best interests to wait the 12 weeks before starting Kanga.

CAN I ATTEND KANGATRAINING WITH TWINS?

There are a few options for mums of twins.

Depending on the age of the baby, they may be able to wear one baby and the other baby may be content to play on a blanket, provided they aren’t able to crawl in the way of dancing mums.

Sometimes mums switch babies throughout the class.

Another option is to bring a friend or family member to wear one of the twins.

If the Instructor is willing and is not wearing a baby of their own they are able to wear one of the twins.

Tandem wearing is not permitted (see below)

CAN I TANDEM WEAR WITH TWINS?

a) Firstly, congratulations of your bundles of happiness! Unfortunately, we are not able to tandem wear at Kanga due to the safety implications on both Mums and Babies. However, we do have a few possible options for you. Firstly, you’re welcome to bring along a friend who can wear one of your bubs and they would naturally Kanga for free! Alternatively, we recommend alternating weeks with your bubs and having your other precious one close by so they can watch and interact with you while you wear the other. Understandably these are not ideal situations, but we really do maintain that it’s in your best interests, and those of your babies, to only wear one at a time during Kangatraining.

b) We are all for tandem baby wearing, however, during Kanga it's simple not safe for you to wear both babies at once. The extra pressure of wearing two little ones while you exercise, simply places too much pressure on your pelvic floor. We pride ourselves on being safe, gentle and effective in postnatal exercise and feel that allowing this extra pressure would go against our principals.

I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT/A SUITABLE CARRIER

a) While we totally appreciate that your carrier is fantastic at home and out and about - during Kanga we are moving in a different way that requires optimal support for both you and your bub. We require the knees to be high and supported which doesn’t place unnecessary movement through their knee joints, we also need bub to be snug, right up against you which supports their head, neck and back so they don’t move separately from you - rather you move as one - similar to when you were pregnant. It’s purely for Kanga and I’d be happy for you to use one of my carriers, no charge.

b) At Kanga we are very specific about the carriers that can be used as we need to maintain standards, Australia-wide. We require the ‘M’ or Froggy position of baby’s legs, this essentially means that baby’s legs are supported from hip to knee, with knees held at belly button height. We also require that bub is directly against your body at all times, held in a tight and high position, and always facing into you to ensure total spinal support. I have some fantastic information on the TICKS standards if you would like to see it?

CAN I FACE MY BABY FORWARDS IN KANGATRAINING?

a) Unfortunately we don’t allow forward facing at Kanga as it doesn’t provide enough support for bubs head and neck as we move around quite a lot.

b) Forward facing is great for out and about, however, at Kanga we don’t recommend it as it doesn’t follow the TICKS standards of Babywearing. TICKS are the guidelines we are required to follow according to our insurance.

WHEN CAN I START KANGATRAINING?

You can begin Kangatraining once you've been given the all clear from your health professional to start exercising. This is anywhere from 6-10 weeks or slightly longer for caesarean sections.

Your trainer will ask you to complete a health questionnaire to highlight any concerns so that they may modify the exercises in the workout for you.

HOW LONG IS EACH SESSION?

Each session is one hour.

You are encouraged to arrive at the class at least 15 minutes prior to the class starting, to allow ample time for babies to be fed and changed to ensure they are comfortable for the session (for Kangatraining)

This also allows the Kangatrainer time to discuss any health or physical concerns you may have prior to the class, so that modifications may be made for them. (All Classes)

IS MY BABY CARRIER SUITABLE? WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE ONE?

Carriers we use include:

* Soft Structured Carriers such as Manduca, Ergo, Tula, Kinderpak

* Meh Dai

* Woven Wraps

You are welcome to bring your own carrier, which your trainer will assess for suitability prior to the class commencing.

Your trainer will also assist you in getting the best fit and comfort for you and your baby.

** Ring Slings, Stretchy Wraps, Non Optimal Carriers and Outward facing carriers are not suitable for Kangatraining **

WILL THERE BE CARRIERS AVAILABLE TO HIRE?

There will be carriers available to hire at each class to try out or rent on an ongoing basis. Our Manduca carriers can hold up to 20kg. If you love these carriers as much as we do, they are available for purchase.

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?

There is no age limit for Kangatraining - as long as you can safely and comfortably carry your child, you can participate in Kangatraining, KangaTrail or KangaMix. KangaOnWheel involves pushing baby in a stroller or pram.

The Manduca carriers we use will hold from newborn up to 20kg.

I HAVE ANOTHER CHILD(REN), CAN I BRING THEM ALONG?

We really want you to focus on you and your baby during each Kangatraining class and having toddlers or older siblings present can hinder this. The good news is Eaton Recreation Centre has a wonderful creche that will keep your older child active and entertained while you enjoy bonding with your baby.

Bookings are required for the ERC creche via an online portal.

CAN I PARTICIPATE DURING PREGNANCY?

Kangatraining is specifically designed as exercise after you've had your baby. We welcome you to classes with your lovely new baby.

PreKanga is specifically designed for Pregnant Mumma's, and you are welcome to attend from the time you find out you're pregnant right up to your Due Date.

I HAVE TWINS, CAN I KANGATRAIN WITH BOTH BABIES?

Unfortunately, it is not in the best safe practice for you to carry both babies while Kangatraining.

What we do suggest, is that you bring along a parent, sibling or friend to join in the fun and get some extra resistance training whilst carrying your little one. **If you do have a support person coming along to Kangatraining with one of your babies, they are welcome for FREE**

If you are unable to have someone come along to class with you, but they are happy to care for one child, you could bring one child one week and the other child the next. Or as above, you can bring them along to class and they can happily have tummy time or crawl about while you get some exercise.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO CLASS?

Wear clothing you feel comfortable exercising in. Baby needs to be lightly dressed so they don't get too hot while you sweat it out. We recommend bare feet or socks for your Kangatraining workout. If Kangatraining Class is part of KangaMix (Outdoors), sneakers are suitable, but we will ensure only soft steps are being made so as not to place any pressure on our Pelvic Floor.

* Light weight change of clothes for baby / layers that can be removed

* Water bottle

* Baby Carrier (if you have one)

* Nappy bag

I DON'T HAVE A BABY, CAN I STILL COME TO KANGATRAINING?

Of course you can! Everyone is welcome to any of the Kanga classes!

Our little ones provide extra resistance, or weight training. So, if you are without a baby, you will still be getting an excellent and fun workout with likeminded parents!

I'M A BABYWEARING DAD, AM I WELCOME TO COME TO KANGATRAINING?

Of course!

You will still benefit from the closeness with your baby, the exercise, and the social aspect that Kangatraining offers! Doctors do recommend that men exercise and strengthen their pelvic floor, so a babywearing dad will still benefit from these exercises!

WHAT DO I DO IF MY BABY IS UNHAPPY IN THE CARRIER?

The best thing you can do is stay calm as this in itself can often calm down the baby, especially if they’re not used to being worn. Most babies very quickly get used to class and love the combination of music, movement and being close to mum.

If your baby just doesn’t want to be worn during class, it’s okay. We’re all mums and we’re used to babies’ unpredictable behaviour! You can always take your baby out, feed them, cuddle them or do what you need to do and either try again part way through class or they may be happy to play on a mat next to you for the remainder of class.

WHAT LEVEL OF INTENSITY IS THE WORKOUT?

Kangatraining is a low impact work out to ensure it is safe for postnatal mums and safe for babies to be worn. Having said this, it’s still an amazing work out as we work the entire body and we include both strength and cardio work.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A KANGATRAINING CLASS?

We start off with a gentle warm up where we hold the babies whilst we dance. Then we do floor work on mats whilst we interact with our babies and focus on our core and pelvic floor strength. After that we pop our babies in carriers and the instructor will check and fit all carriers and for the remainder of class we do dancing and other exercises to music. We finish off with stretches, pelvic floor strengthening and a supportive conversation to get to know each other at the end of class.

WILL MY BABY OVERHEAT?

Eaton Recreation Centre is air conditioned and we always try to ensure we’re working out in a comfortable temperature.

We recommend dressing babies in layers and dressing them lightly for the carrier section of the class.

I’M IN A PELVIC BELT/HAVE ABDOMINAL SEPARATION CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?

If you have the OK from your physio/health professional then most exercises can be modified to suit your needs so no one misses out

I’M NOT FIT, CAN I DO KANGA?

Yes we accommodate all fitness levels and modify class as necessary.